Spring is springing up in Florida, with temperatures rising, pollen coating the car, and many annual events are returning taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor weather.
One of the annual Central Florida Arts traditions, Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival marks its 66th year along Park Avenue this weekend. This weekend will also bring you the “Dog Toberfest” event at Kissimmee, North America’s largest electric car festival, and a self-claimed event as a food and drink event for the trio spreading across the Greater Orlando region.
Here’s how you can enjoy the first weekend of spring in Central Florida:
Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel
The works of Yu Zhou and Yan Ma are on display at the 62nd Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival in 2021. This year’s festival will return from March 21st to 23rd. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
Known as one of the “oldest and most prestigious jury art shows” across the country, Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival has marked its 66th year, with 220 artists across the country winning a total of $76,500 cash awards. Attendees during the three-day event are usually more than 250,000 patrons who browse and buy paintings, sculptures, photographs, jewels, wood art and more. Fine art is complemented by food trucks and live music in Winter Park’s picturesque Park Avenue district.
If you’re going: Winter Park’s Sidewalk Art Festival will be open from 9am to 6pm on March 21st to 22nd, and at Park Avenue and Central Park on March 23rd from 9am to 5pm. The event is open to the public for free. Pets are not permitted at Central Park during festival times. Details: wpsaf.org
Expoify expo
This weekend, there will be a celebration of electric cars, SUVs, bikes, skateboards, scooters and motorcycles at Orange County Convention Center. Guests can drive or ride in several electric vehicles and explore the benefits of solar power. Even children can take part in the action with demonstration courses for bikes, go-karts and hoverboards. Ford, Lexus, Lucid, Porsche, Tesla, Toyota and Volvo are one of the brands represented by the festival.
If you’re going: Electrify Expo will be open from 10am to 5pm on March 22nd-23rd. A typical admission ticket is $20 and you can upgrade to early admission and other VIP perks. Parking fee is $20. More information: ElectrifyExpo.com
dogtoberfest
Klushbrau Park in Kissimmee presents the third Dog Toberfest, which brings together dogs and humans for the Florida Wiener Dog Derby Race, K9 Demonstration, Frisbee Dogs, cute pet contests, vendors, music and more. Visitors can enjoy German food and beer on Saturdays, filled with puppy-centric activities.
If you go: Krush Brau Dogtoberfest is Blvd on 4th April 2198 from 10am to 6pm. In Kissimmee. You can participate in the event for free. A $50 VIP ticket is available. Details: dogtoberfest.us
Three more events
Taste of Oviedo brings dozens of food and drink vendors to Oviedo Mall parking lot this weekend. The free admission event will celebrate its 31st year, from 11am to 5pm on March 22nd, at the 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd. At Oviedo. More details: The taste of owsrcc.org/tasteofoviedo and Sip of Sanford brings the community a third year of “unique” food and drink experience. The Family Ticket Event brings together restaurants, chefs and breweries for lunchtime events that raise money for picnic projects that will help feed those in need in Sanford. Tickets cost $50 for general admission and $75 for VIP. The event will be from noon to 3pm on March 22nd at 401 E. Seminole Blvd. In Sanford. More Information: Historicdowntownsanford.com Half-toberfest asks a fascinating question: Why wait until autumn to celebrate Oktoberfest? The event welcomes Germany-inspired fun, where special German beer releases, food specials, live entertainment, games, contests and costumes are encouraged. The free admission event will be on the 23 N. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando from 1 to 6pm on March 22nd. More information: Facebook.com
Find @pconnpie on Instagram or send an email at pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
